TORONTO – The provincial government budget last month was applauded by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario was less enthusiastic.

In the budget, core funding for OMAFRA increased 8.5 per cent, jumping to $946 million.

  "Knowing the province’s overall financial prospects at this time, this is a good budget for Ontario farmers," said Geri Kamenz, President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). "It shows continued commitment to agriculture and our rural communities."

 He noted areas of good news: a land transfer tax exemption on sales from corporations to individuals; $14 million in added funding for promotion of the Ontario farm fresh program; expansion of the Ontario Rural Economic Development Project funding; and $30 million over a four-year period for Internet broadband development in rural Ontario.

Said policy advisor Nathan Stevens of the CFFO: "There was very limited new money for agriculture and rural Ontario. While it may not have been everything that Ontario’s farmers hoped for, particularly the beleaguered red meat and horticulture sectors, there were some interesting choices made within the budget. The focus of the new spending in this year’s budget is transitioning our province’s economy into one that is knowledge-based."

Stevens added: " From where I sit, this confirms that our government believes that the future prosperity of Ontario lies in the knowledge economy."